The host seemed to be holding a device that could amplify sound, likely some kind of magical tool similar to a microphone. As a result, the audience clearly heard what Linton had said earlier. Though they didn't fully understand Linton's motives, they found the young man rather intriguing and were eager to hear what he had to say next.
The host hesitated for a moment but realized there was no harm in letting Linton speak. So, he handed over the magical microphone to Linton.
"Ahem..." Linton cleared his throat and began, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am Linton Meloway, from a family you've probably never heard of, the Meloway family, a small southern family that, in the eyes of the Imperial Capital, is insignificant."
The audience looked puzzled. What was Linton talking about?
"Our family has always been peaceful, living quietly in the south. Look at me, and look at my nephew, Gasain. Do we seem like bad people? Now look at the defendant's stand. That's my nephew, and look at his goofy expression. Does he seem like someone involved in a conspiracy?"
"You're the one with the goofy expression!" Gasain, from the defendant's stand, couldn't help but retort.
"Please, take a look at me. You might not know me well, but I am a good person. I have a dream—to use magic to bring smiles to everyone's faces..."
"Can you stop spouting nonsense and just get on with it?" Gasain interrupted, clearly frustrated. Linton's words made no sense, as that kind of magic certainly wouldn't bring smiles to anyone's face.
"But... despite being such a peaceful family, we've faced tremendous changes in the past month." Linton's tone shifted suddenly. "What you might not know is that after my father, Baron Meloway, passed away, my eldest brother, my second brother, and my eldest brother's two sons were all assassinated in this past month. I myself have survived two or three assassination attempts. And my nephew, as soon as he arrived in the Imperial Capital, was thrown into a death prison. He is now facing trial by combat. You're all smart people; do you think this is just a coincidence?"
"What?" The audience erupted in murmurs. Everyone knew this couldn't be a coincidence. It looked like someone was targeting the Meloway family, attempting to wipe them out.
Gasain was momentarily stunned but quickly understood what Linton was doing—putting pressure on the authorities. Since the assassins had yet to be caught, Linton was making sure the public knew about it, forcing the officials to investigate under public scrutiny.
"Sir Bayar, how much do you know about this?" Linton suddenly addressed the knight opposite him. "You must have read my file at least. Do you think this is just a coincidence?"
"I... I have read it. It does seem that someone is targeting your family," Bayar admitted after a moment of thought.
"And... who do you think that might be?" Linton asked. "The person who specifically summoned you here..."
"No one specifically summoned me," Bayar replied.
"Really? So, while traveling, you suddenly had an epiphany that there was someone in the Imperial Capital needing judgment, and you returned? Sir Bayar, honesty is a knight's virtue. Who summoned you?"
"You... It was Duke Loyan who summoned me, but he isn't..." Bayar began.
"Are you sure?" Linton pressed, "My family has lost four lives already. Your words could set the tone for the entire case. I hope you can be fair. Do you truly believe Duke Loyan is without any suspicion?"
Bayar fell silent. He couldn't answer because he wasn't sure.
Bayar's silence spoke volumes. The audience quickly shifted their sympathies toward Linton's side, realizing the Meloway family might be victims of a grand conspiracy.
Of course, even Linton didn't know if Duke Loyan was behind the attacks. His main goal was to uncover who was targeting them. Applying pressure on the authorities to investigate was part of his plan. If Duke Loyan wasn't guilty, he'd have to help find the real culprit to clear his name. More hands on the case meant better chances of discovering the truth.
There was another aspect—public perception. Linton was ensuring that Gasain would be seen as a victim of a conspiracy once he was released, rather than an acquitted criminal. Trial by combat might clear him legally, but public opinion often required more.
At this point, the scene grew a bit chaotic as the crowd debated amongst themselves. Just then, the emperor of the empire, Emperor Wiggly, stood up, quieting the crowd instantly.
"Linton Meloway," the emperor began, his voice amplified by a similar magical device, "I am aware of your family's situation. As emperor, I promise that, regardless of the outcome of this trial by combat, I will ensure this matter is thoroughly investigated. Justice will be served, no matter who the culprit is or what their status may be."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Linton replied, knowing he had achieved his goal. The emperor's guarantee would ensure Gasain's safety. If anything happened to the Meloway family now, it would be seen as an affront to the emperor himself.
The crowd calmed down, clearly reassured by the emperor's words. The public sentiment shifted decisively in Linton's favor, while Bayar found himself viewed more like an accomplice than a hero.
Feeling the change in mood, Bayar grew uncomfortable, realizing that his involvement had turned into a disaster.
"Can we start now?" The host, waiting for a while, finally spoke up.
"Let's begin," Linton said, glancing at Bayar. "Sir, you don't look too well today. I hope you don't collapse mid-fight..."
"I'm not sick. Let's start," Bayar said, frowning.
"Really? Then don't go down too quickly," Linton smirked.
"Begin," Bayar signaled to the host.
"Alright! I declare the trial by combat... begins!" The host waved his hand.
With a sharp sound, Bayar immediately drew his sword and turned to face Linton. But the first thing he noticed were Linton's eyes, now glowing red.
"Tsukuyomi!"
With a thud, Bayar dropped to one knee, shocking the entire audience. The once-mighty Golden Phoenix Knight collapsed just seconds into the fight.
"What? What just happened?"
"Why did Sir Bayar fall so quickly?"
The audience was utterly confused, though a few, like Princess Yalan, understood.
"He really did it," Princess Yalan sighed, knowing Linton had ignored her advice once again.
"What's going on? Why did Bayar collapse?" Princess Fula asked.
"It must be related to that boy," said Leafa, their mentor. "Though I didn't sense any magical fluctuations, it's definitely his doing."
Yalan was panicking, realizing their mentor had figured it out.
Back in the arena, Linton shrugged, turning to the host. "It's over. Call it."
"But Sir Bayar isn't..." The host began, only for Bayar to collapse completely to the ground before he could finish his sentence.
The host looked at Linton in disbelief. He thought Bayar might just be weakened, but now it seemed like something much more serious had happened.
Though unsure of what exactly transpired, the host had to follow the rules.
"The match is over—" he started, but before he could finish, a powerful pressure filled the air, silencing him.
"Look!" someone shouted from the audience. Bayar's body was now glowing with a brilliant green light, not just simple energy but a radiance.
"What?" Several royals in the stands stood up, visibly shocked.
"What's happening?" Princess Yalan asked her mentor.
"That's the glow of a saint... Bayar has just ascended to sainthood," Leafa replied.
(End of Chapter)